Chinese tourist comatose after Phuket jet-ski accident recovers

PHUKET: The Chinese tourist rendered comatose when the jet-ski he was riding collided with a paragliding speedboat at Patong Beach has recovered and is to be discharged from hospital today.

A nurse at Phuket International Hospital confirmed to the Phuket Gazette that Shen Baocheng’s doctors had approved his release.

Lifeguards pulled Mr Shen from the water unconscious last Saturday morning (story here).

He was taken to Patong Hospital and later transferred to Phuket International Hospital, where he was put on a respirator.

Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut visited him in the hospital the same day.

Mr Shen regained consciousness and by yesterday afternoon was feeling better, the Phuket International Hospital nurse said.

Safety concerns about jet-skis and unscrupulous behavior of jet-ski rental operators have prompted complaints from the Chinese honorary consul and a consortium of EU Ambassadors in recent months.

Last Thursday, Governor Maitri opened a two-day seminar aimed at improving standards and behavior among jet-ski operators (story here).

— Irfarn Jamdukor